Hobey finalist Dowd one of three alums to sign pro deals

Former NAHL forward Nic Dowd is one of three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

Three NAHL alumni, Nic Dowd, Garrett Thompson and Zach Tolkinen, signed professional contracts this week, after all finished their careers of playing in the NCAA.

St. Cloud State's, and former NAHL player standout senior forward Nic Dowd signed a pro contract with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings two days after the Huskies' bid at back-to-back Frozen Four appearances fell short. Dowd played one season in the NAHL in 2008-09 for the Killer Bees franchise prior to their move to the Rio Grande Valley. He scored 71 points (24 goals, 47 assists) in 56 games during the NAHL regular season and playoffs during the 2008-09 season.

Following his season in the NAHL, he was drafted after the season by the LA Kings in the seventh round. Dowd will join the LA Kings affiliate the Manchester Monarchs for the remainder of the season and playoffs.

In the NCAA playoffs, Dowd and the Huskies were held scoreless, 4-0, by Minnesota in Sunday's NCAA in the West Regional championship game at Xcel Energy Center. However, Dowd's game-winning overtime goal against Notre Dame put St. Cloud State in position to play for the program's second Frozen Four berth. Dowd was named as one of three 2014 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Hat Trick Finalists on Wednesday. The Hobey Baker Award is presented annually to a college hockey player who excels on and off the ice, displaying a “contribution to the integrity of the team and outstanding skills in all phases of the game” as well as pursuits linked to strength of character and scholastic endeavors.

Garrett Thompson signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. He had a team-high 16 goals and added 16 assists in 42 games this season with the NCAA's Ferris State Bulldogs. In four years with the Bulldogs, the 24-year-old native of Traverse City, Mich., recorded 87 points (42 goals, 45 assists) over 139 games.

Prior to attending Ferris State, the six-foot-two, 191-pound, winger spent three seasons with the Traverse City North Stars of the North American Hockey League, where he scored 40 goals and added 40 assists in 121 games.

The Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League (NHL) announced that they have signed defenceman Zach Tolkinen to a contract. Tolkinen, a native of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, played in 36 games with Quinnipiac University (ECAC) this season, and registered a career high of 22 points (3-19-22) and 30 penalty minutes.

Prior to attending Quinnipiac, Tolkinen played two seasons in the NAHL, first for the Owatonna Express during the 2008-09 season and then for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs during the 2009-10 season. In 93 career NAHL games, Tolkinen had 42 career points.